Michael Jackson

A star since the age of 10 when The Jackson Five registered four No. 1 hits in 1970, Michael Jackson parlayed his remarkable singing and dancing talents into mega-stardom, the likes of which few enter...
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Robin Thicke has confessed he lied about asking pal Pharrell Williams to create a song like Marvin Gaye's 1977 hit Gotta Give It Up under oath in court on Wednesday (25Feb15) The Blurred Lines singer took the stand in his ongoing copyright trial against Gaye's children and told a court in Los Angeles he told "a little white lie" to reporters who asked him about the conception of his 2013 hit, which bears a striking resemblance to late soul legend Gaye's tune.
Thicke backtracked on radio and magazine interviews he gave in 2013, during which he claimed that he proposed to Williams that they write something like Gotta Give It Up.
He told the federal jury that he was drunk and high on drugs during those interviews, and that he was simply attempting to take credit for a part of the song.
He said, "It felt like a little white lie that wouldn't hurt his (Pharrell) career and boost‎ mine."
The Gaye children have used the interviews as part of their argument Thicke and Williams heavily borrowed from their father's song and therefore infringed on their copyright.
Under questioning by his own attorney, Thicke performed hits by U2, Michael Jackson and the Beatles to prove that many classic songs shared similarities.
Also taking the stand on Wednesday was Gaye's ex-wife, the mother of one of the plaintiffs, who testified she noticed the similarities between Blurred Lines and her former husband's song as soon as she heard the 2013 hit.

High School Musical director Kenny Ortega is developing a Spanish-language musical TV series, called Bandolero. The filmmaker and choreographer, who also masterminded Michael Jackson's This is It concert film, is teaming up with Argentine producers Solange Keoleyan and Sebastian Parrotta, who created hit teen musical telenovela Violetta, for the new project.
Bandolero will centre on musically-inclined teens Renzo and Alma who find themselves entangled in a story of "forbidden love".
Ortega says, "As a proud Hispanic American, it is a thrill to be able to draw from my own life experiences as we embark on this international television project together.
"Developing projects that have a balance of strong Latin-based themes is always at the top of my wish list."

It's easy to get swept up with major Hollywood stars this time of year, gazing at the red carpet and thinking of these celebs as superhuman megastars, but even the biggest names around got their starts in less glamorous ways. Before their Oscars and Emmys, these stars had Pop Tarts and Lisa Frank.
1. Ben Affleck
Dig those smooth moves and that hip phone! The two-time Oscar winner starred in this Burger King commercial before becoming the megastar we know today from films like Good Will Hunting and Gone Girl. His next role may be playing Batman, but now we'll always think of him as this bad boy who breaks the rules.
2. Brad Pitt
It may be crazy to see a superstar like Brad Pitt shelling for potato chips, but if you think about it, not much has really changed for the Oscar-winning Fight Club star since this Pringles commercial: he still looks good enough to make our mouths water.
3. Jennifer Lawrence
Since starring in this commercial for MTV's Super Sweet 16, Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence has taught those boys how to properly carry her around on her throne, where this Oscar-winning actress belongs.
4. Stanley Tucci
We've always loved The Devil Wears Prada's Stanley Tucci, but seeing him young and hunky in this Levi's commercial made us love him even more.
5. Steve Carell
Steve Carell may have received his first Oscar nomination for his dramatic role in Foxcatcher, but this commercial shows that he's at his best when he's being funny and lovable.
6. Leonardo DiCaprio
We're like 97% sure we'd take our pants off immediately if Leo came up to us now and told us to "keep it poppin" or to "save some for Daddy." The 5-time Academy Award nominee is underrated even when it comes to his commercials.
7. Haley Joel Osment
We're just gonna throw this out there: The Sixth Sense could have been a much better movie if they'd stuck to the original line, "I see snack dragons." Just saying. Also, not even a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle would eat a pizza that looks that gross, Kraft.
8. Naomi Watts
Young Naomi Watts, the two-time Academy Award nominee you know from films like Birdman and Mulholland Drive, was once a teenager with a thick Australian accent. Like most of us, the near-perfect actress worried about her skin, her figure, and "that one" problem we don't talk about.
9. Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone
"You sound like a commercial." "You buyin' it?" This is the greatest moment of either of their careers. Just kidding, Sharon Stone has gone on to many other performances that are just as good, if not better.
10. Mila Kunis
So, we guess we can thank Mila Kunis for helping make Lisa Frank such a thing in the 90s. It's hard to believe that the star was only two years away from her breakout role on That '70s Show.
11. Elijah Wood:
We've always had a lot of love for Elijah Wood's facial expressions. From Lord of the Rings to Wilfred, his face is sometimes the only thing that makes his performances entertaining. This commercial might just be his shining moment.
12. Kristen Stewart
We love how sassy Kristen Stewart is in this Porsche commercial -- that head nod and "duh" look on her face, as if she would lie about missing her bus, Dad. But secretly, she's all *Live Fast, Die Hard, Bad Girls, Do It Well* #YOLO. Performance of her career, honestly.
13. Meg Ryan
We would personally rather watch a never-ending loop of Meg Ryan's face appearing over the Burger King logo than watch Sleepless in Seattle.
14. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
How many times have we fantasized about the chance to be at Joseph Gordon Levitt's house with him making us breakfast in the morning? Countless. But we never imagined it could be as adorable and delicious as this 1991 Pop Tarts commercial makes it seem.
15. Tobey Maguire
Yo, Spider-Man is having an uncomfortable amount of fun in the bathroom.
16. Corey Feldman
This adorable McDonalds commercial from 1975 may have been heartwarming back then, but 40 years later, it just reminds us how much The Goonies star hasn't aged since he was 4.
17. Demi Moore
We're not sure if the Ghost star was trying to sell Diet Coke by convincing us we might fall in love, or if she was trying to warn us of the dangers and health problems that could arise from drinking it, but we still like it.
18. Keanu Reeves:
Eating cereal has seriously never looked more fun than it does in this commercial. We would love to eat Kelloggs Corn Flakes with Keanu, Matrix style.
19. Stephen Colbert
This ad seems like a news report, and we can totally see a lot of similarities between this FirsTier Bank commercial and The Colbert Report.
20. Matt LeBlanc
Okay, the best things might come to those who wait, but does the Friends star now have to run back up to the roof, or is he just gonna waste that whole bottle of ketchup just to look cool eating one hot dog? Joey. Doesn't. Waste. Food.
21. Courteney Cox
Fun fact: the Friends star was the first person to ever say "period" (referring to menstruation, not punctuation) on TV. She then broke down more boundaries by starring in terribly-named-but-not-actually-terrible TV shows, like Cougar Town.
22. Elisabeth Moss
Are we the only ones watching this commercial as if we're watching Pegy pitch an ad campaign on Mad Men? We can't be.
23. Sarah Michelle Gellar
This 4-year-old Sarah Michelle Gellar just slayed Burger King's competition faster than you could say "Buffy." Un-be-liev-able!
24. Bryan Cranston
Fans were amazed with how Bryan Cranston transformed from the lovable Hal on Malcolm in the Middle into the meth kingpin Heisenberg on Breaking Bad, but the truly incredible transformation of his career happened way earlier. The way he instantly goes from being a skunk to a human is absolutely astonishing.
25. Aaron Paul
This commercial seems like it could actually just be Breaking Bad's Jesse Pinkman waiting to eat his breakfast before heading off to Chemistry with Mr. White, doesn't it? Aaron Paul's gotta have his Pops, bitch!
26. Megan Mullally and John Goodman
We love Karen Walker enough to be able to recognize that incredible voice anywhere, even if it's some place strange, like a McDonalds commercial. While Karen would certainly never actually sell Egg McMuffins, we're pretty sure that Roseanne star John Goodman totally would.
27. Seth Green
We don't mean to diminish the abilities of our favorite werewolf from Buffy the Vampire Slayer or our favorite dimwitted cartoon son from Family Guy, but this is definitely Seth Green's brightest moment. That hair, the accent. He totally nails the 90s goon role with lines like, "Consequently, we can hit on 'em," and "Definitely - NOT!"
28. Tony Hale
Tony Hale won our hearts playing Buster on Arrested Development (and an Emmy playing Gary on Veep), and this commercial proves that he's made a career out of his hilarious concern regarding women's toiletries. We wonder if Gary's Leviathan on Veep has Herbal Essences.
29. Charlie Day
This quirky commercial for Cascade dishwasher detergent looks like Charlie Day just stepped out of an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Graduating and heading straight into retirement also seems like a total Charlie Kelly scheme, doesn't it?
30. Jane Lynch
Okay, the only thing we love more than Frosted Flakes and Tony the Tiger is this commercial with Glee star Jane Lynch camping out everyday trying to sneak a peak at the elusive mascot himself.

A documentary looking into the death of late actor Robin Williams has been commissioned by bosses at British network Channel 5. The last hours of the funnyman's life will be recreated for an episode of the Autopsy series. Williams committed suicide at his home in California in August (14), aged 63. Previous stars featured on the series include Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.

British singer/rapper Labrinth is teaming up with Justin Bieber to get the young star back on the right track following his bad boy antics. Labrinth fears the Baby hitmaker is under the same amount of pressure as Michael Jackson suffered as a young star, and he is heading into a studio with the singer in March (15) to help him re-focus on his music career.
He tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "It's one of those Michael Jackson things where fame's becomes bigger than the music... So hopefully the music that comes is as important as the fame. I'm going into the studio with Justin next month."
Bieber recently apologised for his turbulent 2014 following a string of run-ins with police, paparazzi, and neighbours at his former home in California.

Michael Jackson's son Prince Michael celebrated his 18th birthday on Friday (13Feb15) by thanking his late father in a heartfelt letter. The teenager posted his thoughts online on Thursday night (12Feb15), also offering up his gratitude to his grandmother and cousin T.J. Jackson, who have served as his joint guardians since the King of Pop's death in 2009.
He wrote, "Before I turn 18 tomorrow I really want to thank a few (people) and first is obviously my dad. He was and is an incredible human being... he gave me an incredible opportunity to make something of myself."
Turning to T.J. the 18 year old added, "He has made so many sacrifices to help me along and he's been there when I needed him and help shape who I am (sic)."
Prince Michael concluded his birthday eve letter by calling his grandmother Katherine "a strong woman... who has been through so much".
He added, "She’s an inspiration to keep going no matter what."

Sir Paul McCartney has scored another U.S. chart first with his new Kanye West and Rihanna collaboration - the longest span between number ones on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs countdown in history. Three decades after his Michael Jackson duet The Girl is Mine hit the top spot, McCartney is back at number one with FourFiveSeconds.
The track is Rihanna's fourth chart-topper and Kanye's seventh, according to Billboard.com.
Ray Charles held the previous record for the longest gap between number ones on the chart - he had to wait 23 years to get back on top after his Let's Go Get Stoned spent a week at number one in 1966. The late soul man scored his second chart-topper with I'll Be Good to You in 1990.
McCartney's latest success comes just days after he, West and Rihanna performed FourFiveSeconds live for the first time at the Grammys on Sunday (08Feb15).

Chris Brown's art is featured on a wall at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. The Kiss Kiss hitmaker painted a mural of the artists who have influenced and inspired him in his career, including Michael Jackson, James Brown and Prince.

The estate Michael Jackson abandoned at the height of his child abuse legal battle just over a decade ago is to be turned into a rehab facility for sex addicts, if a California businessman gets his way. The Neverland Ranch was once a place of great joy as the King of Pop entertained fans and himself with a fairground and petting zoo, but Jackson walked away from the place after police looking for evidence to convict him raided the estate.
The $75 million (GBP50 million) property in Santa Barbara County, California has been shuttered up for the past 10 years, but now there are big plans for Jackson's former home.
One proposal for the property includes turning Neverland into a therapy camp for molested children.
Sources tell the New York Post that the unnamed businessman behind the bid is hoping to use the estate as a "serene setting" for children recovering from the trauma of sex abuse.
The insider tells the publication, "The plan is to have children come there for treatment, and they will also hire trained therapists who would help the victims through the use of equine-assisted therapy, which works to improve the kids’ self-esteem, and it helps them to become more outgoing.”
Ironically, Jackson was accused multiple times of luring kids to Neverland to molest them, although the charges never stuck and the King of Pop was acquitted in his trial a decade ago.
Real estate investor Thomas Barrack seized control of Neverland from the debt-ridden singer in 2008, the year before the pop superstar died, aged 50.

Rod Stewart has scored a smooth new gig as a radio presenter. The singer will front his own one hour show on Britain's smoothfm from 1 February (15).
Stewart, who is a regular on the network's playlist, says, "You’ve heard my singing voice many times on smoothfm, so I thought it was time I grabbed the mic so we could have a chat. I’m looking forward to hearing your smooth favourites and playing you some of mine."
Station boss Paul Jackson adds, "Rod Stewart is one of the greatest and most enduring artists of all time. He has created so many magical songs that our listeners associate with memorable moments in their lives, from Have I told You Lately to Maggie Mae and The First Cut Is The Deepest. We are delighted to have Rod host his own shows."
He isn't the first artist to take a break from recording and performing to host his own show on smoothfm - Michael Buble, Seal, Olivia Newton-John and Keith Urban have also played presenters.

Contributed the song "Someone In the Dark" to the storybook for the film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"

Released first solo album Got to Be There, including the hits "Got to Be There" and "Rockin' Robin"

Released his autobiography Moon Walk

Summary

A star since the age of 10 when The Jackson Five registered four No. 1 hits in 1970, Michael Jackson parlayed his remarkable singing and dancing talents into mega-stardom, the likes of which few entertainers have ever known. By the time he released <i>Thriller</i> in 1982, which quickly became the best-selling album in the history of recorded music, Jackson was the biggest pop icon in the world. Yet at the very height of his fame, allegations of child molestation severely damaged his career, sending the eccentric performer into an even more reclusive posture than usual. The son of an abusive father who drove him and his brothers mercilessly to their success, he missed out on a normal childhood, forced not only to convey the composure of an adult in his little boy's body as the frontman for the popular group, but also to branch out simultaneously as a solo artist. Jackson was more than equal to the task as his stunning accomplishments attested, but what price did he pay for a lifetime in the spotlight? It was not so farfetched that his penchant for surrounding himself with children was an attempt to vicariously experience the joys of a childhood sacrificed at the altar of the recording industry. But even that was subject to intense scrutiny when he was accused of sexual abuse of a child in 1993 and in 2004; the latter resulting in a media circus trial that ended in his acquittal. Regardless of his status - either as a pop icon or alleged child molester - there was no doubt that Jackson was the subject of endless public fascination. On June 25, 2009, his position as a tragic American icon was solidified when, after rehearsals for a series of comeback concerts in the U.K., he was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital, where he was pronounced dead at age 50. The announcement sent shock waves around the world, as fans mourned the one and only King of Pop.

Rowe was a dermatologist nurse; Married on Nov. 14, 1996; Rowe was reportedly six months pregnant at the time of their wedding; Divorced on Oct. 8, 1999, with Rowe giving full custody rights of the children to Jackson; Rowe's custody rights were reinstated by a judge in 2005

Education

In the mid-1980s, Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus; both illnesses made him sensitive to sunlight. The treatments he used for his condition further lightened his skin tone and, with the application of pancake makeup to even out blotches, he appeared very pale.

On Jan. 27, 1984, Jackson suffered second degree burns to his scalp after pyrotechnics accidentally set his hair on fire, while filming a Pepsi Cola commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. PepsiCo settled the lawsuit out of court, and Jackson gave his $1.5 million settlement to the "Michael Jackson Burn Center" at the Brotman Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.

On May 14, 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award presented by President Ronald Reagan for his support of charities that helped people overcome alcohol and drug abuse.

Jackson bought The Beatles' back catalog from an estate in 1985 for $47.5 million.

In 1985, Jackson rescued a three-year-old chimpanzee named Bubblesfrom a cancer research clinic in Texas. Bubbles initially resided at the Jackson family's Encino home, but moved to Neverland Ranch in 1988. In 2003, the singer revealed that Bubbles had become overly aggressive and was taken to an animal sanctuary over fears he may attack Jackson's newborn son.

In March 1988, Jackson purchased land near Santa Ynez, California to build Neverland Ranch at a cost of $17 million. The 2,700-acre property had Ferris wheels, a menagerie, and a movie theater. In 2003, the property was valued at approximately $100 million.

Jackson revealed in a 90-minute interview with Oprah Winfrey in February 1993 that he was abused by his father throughout his childhood.

Following the illness and death of Ryan White in 1990, Jackson helped draw public attention to HIV/AIDS. He publicly pleaded with the Clinton Administration at Bill Clinton's Inaugural Gala to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and research.

In 1993, Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse by a 13-year-old child named Jordan Chandler and his father Evan Chandler. Under the influence of a controversial sedative administered by Evan Chandler, his son said that Jackson had touched his penis. Evan Chandler was tape-recorded threatening to damage the singer's music career and engaged Jackson in unsuccessful negotiations to resolve the issue with a financial settlement. On Jan. 1, 1994, Jackson settled a civil suit out of court with the Chandler family and their legal team for $22 million. Jordan Chandler refused to testify in the criminal proceedings. The state closed its criminal investigation citing lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged with a crime.

"Michael is an eccentric, like Oscar Wilde. He creates his own world." – Deepak Chopra quoted in the Daily News, Nov. 10, 1996

In November 2002, Jackson brought his newborn son Prince Michael II onto the balcony of his hotel room in Berlin, Germany as fans stood below. Holding him in his right arm with a cloth loosely draped over the baby's face, Jackson briefly extended the baby over the railing of the balcony, four stories above ground level, causing widespread criticism in the media. Jackson later apologized for the incident.

In a Granada Television documentary titled "Living with Michael Jackson" (2003), the singer was seen holding hands and discussing sleeping arrangements with Gavin Arvizo, who would later accuse him of child sexual abuse.

In 2004, shortly after the documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" aired, the singer was charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in order to commit that felony; all charges regarded the same boy, Gavin Arvizo, who was under 14 at the time of the alleged crime. After a five month trial in 2005, Jackson was acquitted on all counts.

After Jackson's 2005 trial, he briefly relocated to the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain as a guest of Sheikh Abdullah.

In 2006, Jackson's financial troubles forced him to close the main house on his Neverland Ranch in California as a cost-cutting measure.

In 2006, Jackson received eight records – among them "First Entertainer to Earn More Than 100 Million Dollars in a Year" and "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" – from the Guinness World Records.

Due to financial troubles, Jackson gave up the title to his Neverland Ranch in 2008, transferring the deed to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC – a company he partly controlled.

At the time of his death, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people at London's O2 arena, from July 13, 2009 to March 6, 2010.

On Nov. 7, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA, the late pop star's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's death. On Nov. 29, 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in prison,although due to California law, the former doctor was expected to serve his time in L.A. County Jail.